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Volume 9 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2019
Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Paula Irvine
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NEWS
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Recently I spent time with an friend who is caring for her elderly dad. Sarah is exhausted, sad, stressed and worried, worn out from sleeping on chairs next to her dad’s hospital bed. She talked about the ongoing struggle to get the support they both need, the ever-changing nature of her dad’s condition and her fears for the future, but also of the people she calls ‘Angels’ who she has encountered along this difficult journey. These ‘Angels’ are few in number, but they stand out because they are so remarkable. One she particularly remembers is Sam. He operates the overnight tea trolley in A&E at their local hospital. A&E is never a pleasant place to be, particularly so at 3am, but when Sam arrived, pushing his tea trolley quietly so as not to disturb or agitate patients, my friend was amazed by his smile and the gentle manner in which he approached people. She watched him make his away around the room and was astonished by the effect he had. People returned his smile, grateful to have a hot drink and to chat for a moment to someone who actually looked happy to be there. As he approached, my friend prepared herself to speak for her dad, but Sam spoke directly to him. He said: “I have a cup of tea for you and something tells me you’d like it with sugar.” Her dad hadn’t said a word for hours, but to Sarah’s surprise he replied and he and Sam had a brief chat. When Sam departed with a smile and a wave, Sarah’s dad continued to chat into the morning. This one brief encounter had lifted his spirits and for a short time Sarah and her dad chatted about all and sundry. For this Sarah will forever be grateful to the ‘Angel’ with the tea trolley. I share this story because it has had such an impact on me. I have never been, and will never be, an ‘Angel’. I try to be positive, I really do, but it doesn’t come to me naturally. If I had to push a tea trolley around A&E at 3am I’d be more likely to leave a trail of despair. I dread to think what my work colleagues might have to say! When I’m feeling sorry for myself I think of Sam and my friend’s tears as she recalled her all to brief encounter with him. January is a difficult month for many people for many different reasons. Do you have the capacity to be an ‘Angel’ in someone’s life for a brief moment? I hope I do!
InTouch
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SPROUGHTON MILLENNIUM GREEN Happy New Year to all those who use the Millennium Green in Sproughton, and to all those who support us with donations. It’s been a while since I last wrote a piece about the green for In Touch, so here’s an update. We had a very successful fun quiz night back in November. The popular event was sold out. Those who came said it was a very enjoyable evening and we made in excess of £200 through ticket sales and the raffle on the night. Thank you to all those who came along, entered into the spirit and helped to boost our funds. A special thanks to John Webb who wrote all the questions and kept score on the night. We hope to have another quiz night in the autumn of 2019. In November, we were delighted to receive a magnificent £1,000 donation from the 2018 Sproughton Fireworks night. We are truly grateful to the organisers for their generosity. This donation, together with a £1,000 grant from Suffolk Rural Fund, will almost pay our remaining tree surgery bill for 2018/2019, estimated at £2,800. We have started planting replacement indigenous trees along the riverbank to fill the gaps between the willows. This programme will not only reduce the cost and time involved in managing the troublesome willows, but it will also encourage biodiversity by providing different habitats for wildlife. It should look better too! Our AGM will be in March this year. We are always looking for new talent to join our small band of directors. If you’re interested in helping to keep the green in public ownership and pleasant and safe to use, please get in touch with me. Look out for notices in In Touch later this year for our Jigsaw Puzzle Challenge event, probably in April. We hope to see you there. That’s all for now! Thank you once more for all your support in 2018 and into 2019. We really do appreciate it. Ken Seager, 07578 552324
SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS November saw us welcome the East Anglian Air Ambulance with their very enlightening talk on their role in the community and the extremely necessary service that they provide. While we all hope that we will never have to use their services, we know that they are there for us. We are at present organising our Christmas meeting and have arranged the meal at the Wild Man in January. Happy New Year to you all. Eunice
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NEWS SPROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE
2019 - Happy New Year
Christmas Clear Up Did you know that Suffolk Councils collect an extra 12 per cent rubbish and recycling in January compared to other months? This equates to 2,000 extra tonnes of rubbish! You can minimise your post-Christmas environmental impact by taking a few simple steps.
The first parish council meeting of 2019 will be on Wednesday, January 9 in the Barley Room at the Tithe Barn, starting at 7.30pm. Agendas and minutes for all meetings are posted on the noticeboards and on the parish council website: http://sproughton.onesuffolk.net Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings; if you have any issues that you would like raised please contact us or come along to the meetings. The meetings are open to the public and press. The council received an application from Zac Norman to be considered for co-option onto the parish council. The council unanimously voted to co-opt Zac as a parish councillor at the meeting on December 12. Welcome Zac, you are the youngest person to have become a Sproughton Parish Councillor. May this be an inspiration to others in the community to come forward; we currently have four parish council vacancies. 100 Years Commemoration of the end of the First World War The council’s commemoration event, part of the national commemoration, on the evening of 11 November 2018, was attended by over 40 residents for a short open air ceremony at All Saints with prayers, remembering the fallen men of Sproughton, the playing of The Last Post, lighting a beacon and ringing of the church bells. This was followed by a convivial soup supper in the Barley Room and a time to reflect on memories and catch up with friends and neighbours. Thank you to Councillor Chris Marshall and Sue Frankis for organising this commemoration, to Rev Tony Wilcox for leading the commemoration, our bugler from the Royal Holbrook School and the Sproughton bellringers. 2019/20 Parish Council Budget and Precept The council agreed the budget for the 2019/20 financial year and at its meeting on December 12 agreed to set a Parish Precept of £49,732 for 2019/20. This amounts to a Council Tax demand for Sproughton Parish Council which will appear on your Council Tax paperwork from Babergh as a one per cent reduction on last year’s demand. Tithe Barn and Barley Room Hire Please contact our parish clerk Sue Frankis who deals with bookings: 01473 463852 Babergh Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan (JLP) We are advised by Babergh that the next stage of the draft JLP will commence with a public consultation on a revision to the draft during February and March 2019. Watch this space. Like the last round of consultation, we intend to pull together working groups of volunteer residents to look at he documents and hold public meeting(s). You will recall that the last version showed potentially 2,320 houses being built in Sproughton! There is already a planning application for some 70 houses in open countryside on Cardinals Field behind the houses on the north side of Lower Street. Also, Pigeon Developments have been pecking around the land adjacent to Hope Farm and the allotments with a view to submitting proposals for housing on this land (west of Bramford Road and north of Burstall Lane). Again, watch this space. Sproughton Burial Ground The parish council has let a contract for the construction of new paths at the burial ground. The paths will extend into the area to the east giving access to the area for burials as required. Works will commence in January. Sproughton Parish Council Clerk to the Council: Sue Frankis 01473 463852 /pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk Chairman: Simon Curl, 01473 747114
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Remember to recycle your plastic, paper, cardboard, tins and cans in your recycling bin at home. If you find yourself with unwanted gifts, or old items which have been replaced for Christmas, donate them to your local charity shops or reuse containers at your local recycling centre. Please also make sure you dispose of your old electronic equipment and batteries correctly, either at your local supermarket or collection point, or your local recycling centre. You can find your nearest recycling centre at: www.greensuffolk.org/recycling/HWRC
Interested in having a look around the facility? In 2018, Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility hosted over 1,280 visitors interested in finding out how we put the waste left after recycling to good use as a fuel to generate energy. As well as regular open days for local residents, we hosted 26 schools and colleges from around Suffolk and recently Suffolk’s High Sheriff. If you are interested in what happens to your waste here in Suffolk, we are hosting a series of open days in 2019 and we have spaces available on the following open days: January 16 at 2pm, February 5 at 6pm, March 15 at 10am, April 2 at 6pm and May 27 at 2pm. Alternatively, we host tours on weekdays for groups of five to ten people (the minimum age for visitors is seven years old), so why not get a group together and arrange a tour? Pre-booking is essential: suffolkefw.uk@suez.com / 01473 836149 If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910
BENTLEY TODDLER GROUP Thank you to everyone who helped and supported our latest jumble sale and made it a great success. If you missed this last sale, there will be another in April/May so watch this space! Please save all your goodies but, if this is a problem, we can collect sooner. Pam Rament
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NEWS
SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY SHOP: Something for Everyone 2019 and a Happy New Year to all our readers! At the point of writing, which is early in December 2018, it would appear that the shop has had a more successful year financially than in 2017. This being the case, we have been able to renew our donations to important village organisations: the church, the school, the Millennium Green, the Playing Field Management Committee and the Reading Room Trust. It is very rewarding to think that a purchase in the shop is not only an investment in the well-being of villagers who find it difficult to get to the big shops, but also contributes to the life of the organisations which make Sproughton such a good place in which to live.
Of course, at this point we still have to cover the cost of improving security after the break in, and the outstanding bill for our new website which went online in early December. We believe that the smart phone responsive format will give us better access to a younger clientele, and also enable us to interact with our customers more effectively. So, the final financial score is not yet known, but we thank all our customers and volunteers for their continued support in this excellent adventure. Don’t forget to look on your Sproughton Calendar which provides the dates of significant village events in the coming year. May 2019 bring us all health wealth and happiness! Rosalind Lavington www.sproughtoncommunityshop.co.uk 01473 747768 / enquiryatsproughtonshop@mail.com
A NEW YEAR’S STEW Happy New Year! Let’s start off with something positive in hopes it catches on, starting a new trend from those awful days of indecisive EU membership, which by now should’ve been decided. So, in honour of UK sovereignty, let’s stick to something traditionally British that nearly everyone likes. (Well, you can’t please everyone, can you?) It’s easy and helps assuage any fears that we will have no food even when the recipes change. Except this one doesn’t. It’s the same recipe, just under a different government. Oops! I mean a new kitchen, newly decorated, having thrown out all the old pots and pans (oh, dear, did I give something away?). Enjoy this lamb stew while it’s still hot with fresh bread from the oven (if you can manage it), not like crow – best eaten cold, which no doubt someone will be eating by the time you read this. Enjoy! Mary Bright Basan Questions or comments? Email: ms.bb49@yahoo.co.uk
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LAMB STEW 6 medium potatoes cut into chunks (if organic, you may wish to keep the skins on) 4 peeled carrots, into chunks 2 large strong onions, cut into chunks 500 g lean boneless stewing lamb, cut into chunks 5g salt Black pepper Pinch of rosemary (or more, if you like) Pinch of marjoram 500 ml bouillon (2 lamb or beef cubes in 500 ml hot water) Fresh parsley sprigs Pre-heat oven to 250 ℃/ gas 6
Layer half the vegetables in a large casserole, next the lamb, then the remaining vegetables on top. Add the herbs and seasonings to the bouillon, pour over all and top with fresh parsley. Allow 30 minutes in the oven, then reduce the temperature to 170 ℃ / gas 3 for an hour. Serves four to six. Half-baked batons are available in Sproughton Community Shop which can also be finished off while cooking the stew.
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OUT & ABOUT BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet every Wednesday from January 9. Meetings are in the upstairs room of the Methodist Church in Bramford from 10am until noon. Membership, payable in September, is £1 per academic year, with a charge of £3 for each two-hour session. Broadband and refreshments are available. We have no fixed programme, but are here to help you to get the best out of your computer. Why not give us a try?
GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding areas, the club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) from 2-4pm. The building is fully accessible. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. If you prefer to bring your own project the charge is £1.50. We don’t meet in January but will start again on February 4. Our programme for 2019 is: February 4: New Year New Life March 4: Seaside April 1: Fact and Fantasy May 13: Village Life and Little Mice June 3: Summer Sewing July 1: A Bit of Bling August 5: Autumn’s Coming September 2: Take Heart October 7: Fabric Cards November 4: Christmas Cards with a Twist December 2: AGM
RAPUNZEL, THE PANTOMIME Presented by The Orchard Players As a baby, Rapunzel was stolen from her parents by the evil Witch Gothel and imprisoned in a tower. Will she ever escape and be reunited with her family? Will the spoilt, high-life living Prince ever discover his true self? Will King Geoffrey ever grow a backbone? Will Dame Trixie ever find her missing daughter? Get ‘tangled’ up in our pantomime adventure Running at Capel Community Centre from Thursday, January 10 to Saturday 12 with performances at 7.30pm each evening and at 2.30pm on Saturday 12 Box Office: 07793 820215
BELSTEAD MONTHLY MARKETS A market takes place in Belstead Village Hall from 9am-noon on the first Saturday of every month to raise vital funds to support refurbishment of the kitchen and ladies toilet. With an extensive range of tables, a raffle and refreshments, the market is the perfect place to meet with friends for a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake while supporting this essential local amenity. You can also support Macmillan who will have a table laden with homemade goodies for sale. If you can sew, make or create and would like to hire a table (£10) please contact: 07981 335859 / market@belsteadvillage.co.uk
Perhaps we may see you at our meetings? There is currently room for new members so please get in touch if you would like to join us. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children. Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION
SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB Wednesdays in Sproughton Church Hall, 2-4pm
If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF at 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on January 15 when Mark Mitchels, arguably our most popular speaker, will be talking about the River Deben. Rivers were the old highways of England and along their banks stood the towns and villages which form the earliest settlements in our history. Mark will be taking us on a trip along one off the country’s most beautiful rivers, a journey through history showing how the landscape changed to support the needs of the people.
Cards, Tea, Coffee & Biscuits, Bingo, Outings & Meals Out If you are over 60 and would welcome some good company, ring 01473 743476 or just come along
On February 19 Marcia Whiting will speak on the life and works of Alfred Munnings. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary at: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS IPSWICH & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired gentlemen. We meet monthly at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects. In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us. If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: 01473 274898 / probus174@gmail.com
SPROUGHTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL
CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL It gives me great pleasure to share with you the events, activities and news in school, particularly as the month of December is always full of festivities and celebrations. At the end of November a group of language students visited the province of Seville in Spain to take part in a week long exchange trip. Students took part in organised group activities during the day, staying with their host families each evening and over the weekend. This was a fantastic opportunity, allowing students to soak up the culture, practise the language and experience the wider world, developing key life skills. We look forward to the return exchange when the Spanish students visit us in March. Families, friends, governors, teachers and students were treated to a festive evening of music on December 11, at the school’s Countdown to Christmas concert. The evening featured over 20 separate performances involving more than 60 students across all year groups. With vocal and instrumental solo and ensemble pieces interspersed with traditional carols and an opportunity to warm up with some hot chocolate and mince pies, it was a lovely evening. The dedication, commitment and hard work from students and staff was certainly evident and my thanks and congratulations go to all involved.
The children came together to embark on a whole school project of an enormous scale. With the help of Art Solutions, the children turned a mountain of newspaper into a giant, three dimensional display of Noah’s Ark. At first, the children weren’t sure if they would achieve such a momentous task until Tyde Murray, aged four, reminded the whole school: “If we all work as a team, we can do it and it will be a giant creation!” The two-day art project was organised to celebrate the school’s new mission statement: “Let your Light Shine” (Matthew 5:16). Sproughton C of E Primary has recently updated its school vision, mission, values and aims with the arrival of a new headteacher, Mrs Jane Stalham, in September. The project, funded by parents and Sproughton School Association, was a celebration of new beginnings, the school’s Christian ethos and learning. Mrs Stalham said: “Staff at Sproughton are passionate about providing an exciting and balanced curriculum where learners excel through outstanding opportunities. The Noah’s Ark display has pride of place in our library.”
Once again students surpassed expectations for the eighth year running and created an amazing range of Christmas hampers which were donated to a local charity, The Chapman Centre, part of IHAG (Ipswich Housing Action Group) who provide relief for people in the community suffering from extreme financial poverty or homelessness. I am always impressed with the special effort our students make and would like to thank parents and carers for their help and contributions from home. Year 11 students took part in their annual Learning about Work Day. Local employers and business leaders joined us to teach students key skills when applying for jobs/apprenticeships. Activities on the day (and leading up to the event) included CV preparation, writing letters and mock interviews. The feedback from our guests was very positive with comments about their maturity, commitment and the way they conducted themselves throughout the day. Sincere thanks to all our guests for giving up your valuable time to support with this event. Our former Year 11 students who left us in the summer returned to Claydon High School on the penultimate week of term for a presentation evening where they were awarded with their GCSE certificates and special subject achievement awards, recognising individual commitment and progress. It was really lovely to spend the evening with them and to hear about how they are getting on in this next phase of their lives. We are all extremely proud of all aspects of their success and achievement and wish them all the very best for whatever the future brings. If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Monday, January 22. Please telephone my PA, Mrs J Saunders to book a place: 01473 836110 Headteacher Ms Maéve Taylor
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SPORT VILLAGE CONTACTS LIST
Details for organisations and activities in Sproughton
CLAYDON FC Fencing Work Starts at Blue Circle Work to secure the Blue Circle pitches and training ground has now started with the fencing being erected over the next few weeks. This work will ensure the security of the site and protect us from vandalism and unwanted visitors and, in addition, provide additional protection for those using the site during the week or on game day at the weekend. Look out for progress updates over the next few weeks on Facebook and Twitter!
Allotments / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Almshouses (Cooper Trust)
make.shep@btinternet.com
Badminton Club
dennisjackaman@btinternet.com
Burial Ground / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Bowls Club
awaiting
Brownies
www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested
Carpet Bowls Club
awaiting
Children’s Play Area / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Church Hall Booking
01473 464336
This work is being made possible by a grant from Viridor Credits which the executive committee, club, players and parents are very grateful to for their continued support.
Community Shop
01473 747768
Mixbrow Donate Portacabin
Footpath Warden / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Jigsaw Pre-School
info@jigsawsproughton.org.uk
Millennium Green Trust
awaiting
Toddler Group
awaiting
Parish Council, Sue Frankis
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Parish Council Chairman, Simon Curl 01473 747114 / simoncurl@btinternet.com Sproughton All Saints Church
dave.shannon@live.com
Playing Field Management Committee
pfmcandbar@gmail.com
Lunch Club or 01473 747768
Rosalind Lavington 01473 213254
Quilters
Julie Hodges 01473 226004 martin.rl.hodges@btinternet.com
Ramblers
awaiting
Reading Room & Caretakers Trust House Charity
awaiting
Sproughton Senior Citizens Club
eunice.pk585@yahoo.co.uk
Sproughton CEVC Primary School
awaiting
Sproughton Tennis Club
evercope62@gmail.com
Tithe Barn Bookings, Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Tower Captain (Church Bells)
ralphearey@gmail.com
Tree Warden, Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Village History Recorder
awaiting
Following the recent changes to the data protection laws, GDPR 2018, a number of village contacts have not forwarded their details for publication. The parish council will however endeavour to put you in contact where we can.
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Clubhouse Renovations Started The second phase of club house renovations has started. The changing rooms, shower and toilet facilities, as well as a number of storage areas, are being completely removed and reinstated to provide more modern facilities for use by all the teams at the club. We play around six games every weekend at the ground and the home and, once the works are completed, away teams will have facilities that are up to the expectations of the modern era. In addition, the new facilities will provide cleaner and more accessible toilets for the hundreds of site visitors on match day.
Mixbrow, a local construction company, have generously donated a large portacabin to the club which will be turned into new changing facilities over the next few months. As the club has expanded, with the additional senior team added this season, we are in need of further changing and shower facilities and this will provide them to the senior and junior teams at the club. All at the club would like to thank Darren Webb and all at Mixbrow for the support. Aviva Communities Trust The club has been awarded a community Trust award from Aviva which is being used to part fund the new changing rooms being created using the portacabin. Work on this project will start in the new year and is being undertaken by volunteers at the club, if you think you can help and would like to volunteer please contact us at: events@claydon-fc.co.uk
CLAYDON & DISTRICT BADMINTON CLUB Feeling full and ever so slightly guilty about the amount you have eaten over the festive season? Why not get back into badminton right on your doorstep here at Claydon High School. Claydon & District Badminton Club is a social badminton club which meets on Monday nights from 7-9pm during school term time in Claydon High School Sports Hall. Although we are a popular club we have some space and you would be very welcome. If you fancy a game you can have a free taster session. Come along to meet us and have a few games at the Sports Hall on any Monday night during school term – our season started in September and we’ll have a short break over Christmas, but start again in January. For more information visit our website: www.claydonbadminton@wordpress.com or get in touch with C&DBC chairman Dik Langan: 01473 831692 / claydonbadminton@dnacomputing.co.uk
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Do you want to be your own boss or have you started a business in the past 12 months and are based in Suffolk or Norfolk? MENTA’s three, free ‘Start Right’ workshops are designed to be fun and informative. You’ll find out about legal structures, business plans, successful marketing, bookkeeping and tax. With multiple dates and workshop locations, book your free training soon and ‘Start Right’. Start Right is funded by
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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674
North Samford Churches Baby and Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am at Sproughton Church Hall on Mondays in term time. Suggested donation £2 per family. Leaders: Doreen (01473 311122) & The Rev Annette Shannon (01473 807674)
NEW YEAR, NEW DECISIONS It’s January again! I hope you feel better about life in this New Year than the singer of this song: “The sun comes up and the sun goes down The hands on the clock keep a-goin’ ‘round I just get up and it’s time to lay down Life gets tee-jus, don’t it, hmm Grief and misery, pains and woes Debts and taxes, yea, so it goes I think I’m gettin’ a cold in my nose Life gets tee-just don’t it?... Once upon a time this old country and western song was among the popular favourites (Walter Brennan 1948 Life Gets Tee-Jus’ on YouTube). There are lots of other verses in the same vein, a litany of boredom, apathy and irritation at the apparent annoying futility of life. We can do better than that, I think! How about these more modern sentiments: “Sun comes up, sun goes down Every day all the year round Planet Earth, human race Living in a perfectly beautiful place” (Peter Combe) What a contrast! The same repeating days and nights, but seen as beautiful, a cause for rejoicing and, later in the song a cause for concern: “We know about the dangers, know there must be changes The future is in our hands” As a Christian I would qualify that last line: the future is in God’s hands. That is not just surrender to fate, ‘que sera sera, whatever will be will be’ (Doris Day 1958). Instead it’s a recognition that we are not alone, lost in space on a small blue planet. Neither are we just little performers in a puppet show universe run by a god who works like a master chess player. The reality I believe to be a paradox: God leaves the decisions and their consequences to us, yet God is working his purpose out as year succeeds year. So every day of this new year we will be making the decisions for better, for worse. Where should we look for guidance? When driving around, some of us (I confess!) are like the man in another old country and western style number, Three Wheels on My Wagon (Burt Bacharach/Bob Hilliard). He’s being chased by fierce savages, but is convinced he is on the right road to a hiding place. His family are not so sure. His wife protests but he won’t listen. In the end it all comes to grief because he wouldn’t consider whether he really knew the right way to go. Nowadays we might advise him to use a Sat Nav, but they are not infallible! There is no infallible human means to know how we should take all our decisions. God leaves them to our intelligence and judgement. But God does not abandon us. God is with us. God will help us and guide us. Praying to God is not our last resort; it should be our default mode. When we feel spiritually and emotionally lost we can do the same as King David, the writer of many of the songs in the Bible, the Psalms. In Psalm 143 David says he is dismayed at heart. He is in trouble. So he paused and prayed to God: “Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life”. This new year, let us do the same as King David, pray to God, trust God and take our decisions for better or for worse. With my prayers and best wishes for us all in 2019, Don Mehen
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Sproughton Burns Night: Saturday, January 19, 7.30pm Wedding Preparation Day: Bentley Village Hall IP9 2DW on Saturday, February 2. We start promptly at 10am and will finish by 3pm. Burstall Messy Church: Thursday, February 21 at Burstall Village Hall FROM THE REGISTERS Funerals Mike Cross – Copdock Burial of Ashes Mabel Crowfoot – Bentley Rita Wood – Tattingstone JANUARY Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Thursday 3 Saturday 12 Tuesday 15 Saturday 19 Tuesday 22 Wednesday 23 Saturday 26 Saturday 26
Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Sproughton Morning Market, 10am Churchwarden’s & Treasurer’s Meeting, 10am at Sproughton Church Hall Sproughton Burns Night, 7.30pm Ministry Meeting, noon Burstall Approval of Accounts Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm Copdock PCC, 7.30pm
SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Sunday, January 6 8.30am Copdock 9.30am Burstall 10am Tattingstone 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Prayer Family Service Family@Church
Sunday, January 13 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone
Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evening Prayer
Sunday, January 20 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 3.30pm Tattingstone 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Simply Sunday Family Service Family@Church Holy Communion
Sunday, January 27 8am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Belstead 6pm Tattingstone
Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Celebration Holy Communion
Please submit church letters and copy for the February edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by January 4: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com
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CHURCH NEWS / ON THE GRAPEVINE SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
VOLUNTEERING WITH HOME-START
Baptist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Somersham IP8 4QE
Home-Start met Lauren and her family shortly after their new baby was diagnosed with brain damage. Lauren and her husband were completely overwhelmed with the emotional and practical demands of caring for a baby suffering with multiple seizures and being unsettled day and night, while also trying to juggle the needs of their other children.
Facebook: somershambaptistchurchsuffolk You are welcome to join our regular meetings of worship and fellowship: Sunday 10-10.30am: Prayer and Share 10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion on the first Sunday) 11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service Refreshments are served between meetings, come when you can and leave when you want. Weekdays at the Chapel Lunch and Listen: Thursday, February 7 at noon Friends and Neighbours: Monday,January 21, 7.45pm CONTACTS Mark Newcombe, Pastor 01473 831940 / 07958 830103 m.newcombe940@btinternet.com Edwin Mayhew: 01473 658100 WORSHIPPING AND FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER
Life was turned upside down for the family with hospital appointments, admissions and the worry of an unknown future. Their Health Visitor referred them to Home-Start Suffolk, who introduced them to Ruth, a trained HomeStart volunteer. Ruth visits Lauren and the children once a week, providing support when Lauren’s husband works late. Having Ruth there to share the load enables all of the children to get vital one-on -ne attention: reading, playing or doing school work. Mum or Ruth cook dinner and they all sit together while Ruth holds or sings to the baby. Lauren’s evenings are less chaotic and easier to manage with Ruth’s help. Lauren says she felt “immediately at ease” with Ruth and found it easy to talk to her when she was having a difficult week. Although the family’s situation is the same, her visits have allowed the family time to adjust and explore what ongoing support is needed and available to them. Home-Start in Suffolk has family support volunteering opportunities all across Suffolk. Although we value parenting experience, you don’t have to have children or grandchildren of your own to help. You just need a little time and a willingness to make a difference. By joining our team, you will receive accredited training, ongoing support and friendship. Our volunteers support a family on a weekly basis for between two and four hours. If you think you could give some of your time to support a Suffolk family, please contact Fiona on 01473 621104. By giving the gift of time, you will help to change the lives of families in Suffolk.
COULD YOU BE A YOUNG SHADOW TRUSTEE? Community Action Suffolk has launched an appeal to identify a new Young Shadow Trustee who will have a pivotal post in contributing to how the organisation is run, and how it portrays the county’s youth contingent. It’s the first time CAS has chosen to include a dedicated Young Shadow Trustee on their board, and comes as part of the organisation’s desire to reflect more diversity. A Suffolk-based programme to support young trustees has been in place since last year, led by CAS, and now sees a total of 10 younger persons in place with the region’s charities. Charities in Suffolk with an existing Young Shadow Trustee include the University of Suffolk Students’ Union, Suffolk Mind, Suffolk Artlink and St Elizabeth Hospice. The person for the newly created Community Action Suffolk role will need to be between 18 and 25, and will be prepared to offer around four hours per month. They will not be able to vote in their position, but will develop leadership skills, increased knowledge in business and finance, and will receive training and mentoring. Meetings are mainly held in Ipswich and travel expenses should be covered. Janet Perry, Youth Volunteering Development Officer for Community Action Suffolk, said: “Since Community Action Suffolk has been leading the Suffolk Young Trustee Programme in the county, we’ve received such great feedback from charities about the benefits of having a clear youth perspective as part of their team.” If you are interested in this or other young trustee placements contact Janet Perry at: janet.perry@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS VALENTINE BY LEAVING AN EVERLASTING GIFT The Leave an Everlasting Valentine Gift Will Month is being supported by Jackamans Solicitors (Ipswich), Ross Coates Solicitors (Ipswich) and Norton Peskett Solicitors (Halesworth), who have kindly offered their services to offer people the opportunity to make a basic single or mirror will in return for a suggested donation to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of making a Will, as well as highlighting the work of the charity, and is a special way to make a difference and celebrate Valentine’s Day in February. Around 60 per cent of people in the UK do not have a will and planning for later life is essential! People are living longer and with ever-changing family lives; second marriages, extended families, civil partnerships, long-term care needs, lasting power of attorney, funeral costs, inheritance tax… Choosing who you want to leave your gifts to is ever more important so your wishes are fulfilled as complications can arise which can become costly. Making a will gives peace of mind and ensures families and loved ones are cared for in the future. It also gives people the opportunity to leave a lasting gift to a charity that will make a difference to others as well as reduce the inheritance tax bill for the beneficiaries. Karen Hare, Chief Executive of Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, said: “We are delighted that Jackamans Solicitors, Ross Coates Solicitors and Norton Peskett are supporting the Leave an Everlasting Valentine’s Gift scheme by giving their time and offering a will writing service for a donation to our charity. All the monies raised stays in Suffolk to help before, during and after cancer.” For more information contact CCiS on 01473 211884 / fundraiser@cancercampaigninsuffolk.co.uk or visit: ww.ccisuffolk.org
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ON THE GRAPEVINE BE YOUR OWN BOSS IN 2019 Both women have a teaching back ground and decided to set up Wild Play as they strongly believe that children and adults need time to play outdoors, away from the digital world. They encourage children to learn through outdoor play in a woodland setting. Denise and Heidi attended MENTA’s free Start Right workshops led by expert trainers who helped them explore the business world, legal structures, marketing and book keeping. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the three, four hour Start Right sessions are held on a regular basis by MENTA in Ipswich, Bury, Norwich and Dereham. The Wild Play team commented: “MENTA’s Start Right workshops are relaxed, informative and invaluable; a real ‘must’ for anyone creating a new business. They are also a great way to begin your networking journey!”
‘Be your own boss!’ is a statement everyone has come across. You read it, hear it and see this declaration online, on the radio and television – but is it really worth considering as a viable work option? Of course, being employed has its advantages – a certain amount of stability, usually a regular income and fixed holiday, but even then, more people are weighing up whether being self-employed would give them the flexibility they yearn and additional prospects. Denise Winder and Heidi Franklin set up Wild Play Ltd in 2018. They originally met at antenatal classes and being outdoor types, they endeavoured to get their own children outdoors.
Leanne Castle at MENTA said: “Many people are deciding to be their own boss. Yes, there are downsides, however if a business idea is researched thoroughly and there is a good marketing strategy planned then a business can really thrive and flourish.” Established in 1984 MENTA provides business advice, training, bespoke social media support; networking opportunities, a virtual office service and easy term office unit options. The MENTA Team are passionate about helping start up, emerging and existing businesses to thrive. For more information go to www.menta.org.uk, call 01284 760206 or follow them on social media at #mentabusiness. To find out more about Wild Play visit: www.wildplayltd.co.uk
OWL SANCTUARY APPEAL TO GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to enable them to develop and maintain the wild owl nest box scheme it runs in conjunction with volunteers from the Thornham Owl Project throughout East Anglia.
“Two out of the five native species of UK owl are amber listed for conservation importance, meaning they are in population decline. Part of the reason for this is the lack of nesting sites due to the demolition of old barns and outbuildings, the loss of connected habitat and the depletion of old, hollow trees lost to elm disease.
With Britain’s owl numbers in decline, the charity’s work in providing siting, erecting and maintaining nest boxes in the remote areas favoured by wild owls is vital to ensuring the conservation of the region’s native species.
“All of the sites that I have visited are tucked away out of site, usually well off the beaten track and some distance from tarmacked roads. It’s often difficult to reach some of the nest boxes, especially when it’s wet! A serviceable 4x4 will enable us to site new nest boxes and maintain our existing network of 290+ throughout the region.
Critical to this work is a 4x4 off-road vehicle, which enables them to reach remote areas to install, maintain and monitor nest boxes for various species including Little Owls, Tawny Owls and the iconic Barn Owl.
“As a registered charity we rely on donations from visitors and supporters so we are appealing to local all wildlife lovers to give anything they can to help us continue this vital work to support the conservation of these beautiful birds.”
Sadly their old, well used off-road vehicle, affectionately known as Mabel, is no longer fit for purpose, so the Sanctuary is urgently appealing for donations to allow them to purchase a new off-roader. Steve Duffell, a falconer at the sanctuary who has hands-on experience with the nest box scheme managed by the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, commented:
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To donate please visit the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary website, call 03456 807 897 or send a postal donation to The Trustees, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Stonham Barns, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal IP14 6AT. www.owl-help.org.uk
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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK LIBRARIES NOW OFFERING FREE SANITARY ITEMS Did you know that one in ten girls in the UK can’t afford to buy sanitary products? One in seven struggle to afford items or have had to borrow items from friends. More than one in ten girls have had to improvise sanitary protection and one in five are using less suitable items because of affordability. Research has also shown that women can spend up to £18,000 during their lifetime on sanitary products, pain relief and comfort items. At up to £13 on average a month, for many women sanitary items are not affordable, let alone items to help make their monthly experience more comfortable. A recent poll by Always has also shown that period poverty can have a huge detrimental effect on women, ranging from missing school days to struggling to find employment and sadly, women experiencing period poverty seem more likely to suffer with anxiety and depression.
The sanitary items are a mixture of all flows for tampons and pads and preferences can be requested on the form. Though exact matches and amounts can’t be guaranteed, staff will do their best to provide customers with what is requested or something similar. The scheme has already received a great deal of support and there are plans for more libraries to get involved in the near future. Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator Sarah Lungley comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to launch Pride & Periods, and hope that it will help in the fight against period poverty in Suffolk. Affording the right kind of protection, or any at all, can be a real struggle for some and this can have a big effect on their life. “We also know that stigma surrounding periods can make it difficult for some women, or those from the transgender community, to access sanitary items and we hope that by offering free items through our libraries, we can help this. Pride & Periods is a no questions asked project; our staff will provide what is requested using a form, or as similar product as possible.”
To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380
Suffolk Libraries are now piloting providing free sanitary items, no questions asked, in eight different libraries. The items have been donated by supporting organisations East of England Co-op, Pink Parcel and Bloody Good Period and can be requested by completing a simple, discreet form in the library and handing it to a member of staff.
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Oli Watts, Head of Communications and Community at the East of England Co-op, added: “As a community retailer we are always looking at ways to work with local groups and organisations to tackle key issues. Suffolk Libraries’ Pride & Periods campaign is a simple scheme that gives girls and women access to free sanitary items, no questions asked.” Currently, items are available from the following libraries: Ipswich County Library, Broomhill, Chantry, Rosehill, Gainsborough, Stoke, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft, Bungay and Newmarket. If you have any questions or would like to enquire about making donations, please feel free to get in touch with: sarah.lungley@suffolklibraries.co.uk
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